Agriculture Ministry Posts Record Amount of EU Funds Drawn at €302 million

Bratislava, 6 October (TASR) - The Agriculture Ministry posted a record level of money drawn from the European Agricultural Fund reaching almost €302 million as of 30 September, which is the highest sum to be drawn in the past 20 years, the Agriculture Ministry announced on Monday. "The Agriculture Ministry isn't making excuses, but is achieving concrete results today. The highest-ever amount of funds drawn in the past 20 years is a clear answer to all critics," said Agriculture Minister Richard Takac (Smer-SD). According to Takac, the ministry's record results attest to the fact that following years of chaos and incompetence, the Slovak agriculture and rural development sector finally has stable leadership that is able to actually deliver results. The Agriculture Ministry pointed to data showing that under the governments of Igor Matovic, Eduard Heger and Ludovit Odor the amount drawn reached only €37.4 million in 2022, one of the lowest levels seen since 2005. According to the ministry, the situation fundamentally changed after Robert Fico's (Smer-SD) government assumed office in 2023. "The volume of funds drawn increased to €208.6 million in 2024, climbing to €301.9 million in 2025, which is a record for the entire monitored period," added the ministry. ko/df